West Ham have managed to cultivate some fantastic talent in recent years, but no one is more talented than Mohamed Quddus.
The Ghana international has burst onto the European scene with Ajax and attracted the attention of the aristocracy. However, it appears that the typically intelligent Brighton were bound to get another gem after agreeing a deal with the Dutch club, before the Hammers, who entered negotiations swaggering on the back of their Conference League triumph, swoop in and secure the services of Ghana. A budding star.
Kudus was excellent in a transfer-laden team last season and has been reduced to mere flashes due to a lengthy suspension under Julen Lopetegui this time around.
The 24-year-old has shown an ability to perform in a series of roles at a very high level, and the ease with which he has been moved to the Premier League means clubs remain on high alert. Reports of an £85m release clause have prompted potential suitors to consider their transfer plans for 2025, with interest in Kudus continuing.
Here's how 90min He ranks potential destinations for the Ghanaian based on suitability, club needs and likelihood of a deal happening.
With the 2034 World Cup officially confirmed to be held in Saudi Arabia, we expect the Gulf's dominant players to start 2025 bright on the transfer front.
They have managed to attract an impressive array of European talent to their professional league so far, but we have yet to see too many stars who are past their prime choosing a Saudi adventure.
Kudus, given his talent, would be a major coup for the division. The Etihad were linked in the summer, and the PIF-backed clubs have the funds to activate the West Ham player's release clause.
However, the 24-year-old is certainly not ready for the European exit just yet. Kudus will not be shy about options if he pushes for a move from east London, with wiser career options bound to be on the table.
The remaining clubs that have so far been linked with a move for Kudos are all aware of what the Ghanaian is capable of. Last season, St James' Park got a first-hand glimpse of Kudos' brilliance when the playmaker scored West Ham Second place with a 4-3 defeat for the Hammers.
A move to Tyneside may be a bit of a sideways move for Kudus given Newcastle's woes over the past 18 months, but the Magpies are full of ambition and Kudus is the type of signing that would convince the likes of Alexandre Isak and Bruno Guimarães to stay. In the club.
With Eddie Howe well into the midfield engine room, Kudus will likely occupy one of the wings. Newcastle desperately need an upgrade on the right flank, and the addition of the Ghanaian would allow Howe to deploy an absolute front line at the box office consisting of Anthony Gordon, Isaac and Kudus.
Woof.
Mohamed Salah remains an inescapable force on Liverpool's right flank, but he won't be around forever.
The Reds did an admirable job of landing Federico Chiesa on a deal in the summer, but the Italian's fitness issues raise the question of whether he can actually be relied upon.
You can't replace Salah with one body, but Kudus would undoubtedly be an excellent addition to Arne Slot's red team. The Ghanaian could fill in on either flank or be thrust into the spotlight as a No.10 for the Dutchman – providing what Dominik Szoboszlai lacks in precision and technical mastery.
Liverpool We are Big fan of Kudus He appears to be an ideal fit for Michael Edwards, but the Reds will not broker an £85m deal in the January transfer window.
Man City needs players. They will take anyone. Well, you should be under 30 years old, ideally, and be good at the sport as well.
Kudus is both of those things.
The City's rebuilding process begins in January, and it looks as if the Premier League champions will turn to the best of their current domestic rivals' flaunts as a means of accelerating their recovery.
Kudos is not a defensive machine, but he has great athleticism and City have been sorely lacking in fitness this season. While Guardiola could shift the Ghanaian off the pitch, Kudus would cause massive damage in the kind of situations that Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden usually operate in.
The 24-year-old will have to change his profile somewhat to thrive under Guardiola, but there is no denying that Kudus provides much of what the champions currently lack. In addition to his athleticism and direct carry of the ball, Kudus is an elite scoring threat. The Cityzens are in desperate need of a host of goalscorers given their recent malaise amid Erling Haaland's barren career.
City will spend big next year, and Kudos could be one of the building blocks for the next great iteration of Guardiola's side.
At times, Mikel Arteta's Arsenal are a difficult team, but they remain an excellent team that is still capable of winning the title. Premier League address.
However, many are questioning their chances given their inconsistent attacking performances and reliance on Bukayo Saka. Arsenal have often appeared unbalanced and one-dimensional this season, but Saka's productivity and set-pieces have kept the team at bay well enough.
Their current crop of strikers are certainly unable to propel Arteta's side to the title. They need another one. As soon as news came out about the potential availability of Kudus, Gooner was alarmed. It could be the man.
Kudus can play from the left flank, but Arteta will have to change his dynamics to ensure the Ghanaian operates from the half-space as much as possible. He could also walk away with a win in the Mikel Merino duel due to Kudus's guile and skill in Arsenal's midfield three. Having Martin Odegaard and Kudus working alongside each other would certainly take the Gunners' possession play to another world.
While a semblance of control will be compromised, the addition of Kudus would provide Arsenal with great balance and further diversify their attack. It's certainly a tempting option in January.
